Pumpkin Run Pulse

When she passed me the word on what she'd found, I was so excited! It was one of the coolest concepts for a shop I'd ever heard of! That's saying a whole lot for someone who hates to shop!

The word-passer was my friend and colleague, Vicki Warner, of Life Talks - I Write, and the biz that got me so excited was Three Dog Bakery in the oh-so-cool community of Sechelt, British Columbia, Canada.

I just keep on hearing wonderful things about the folks in Sechelt, and even though I've never been there, I continue to learn about and appreciate its beauty. I'd also like to extend my sympathies to the community there on the loss of their beautiful Rhapsody and her unborn calf.

Tag Team Networking

Vicki Warner is a writer whose work I've grown to love and in doing so, discovered a common passion, the promotion of independent businesses, artists and organizations.

When I learned of the Three Dogs Bakery, it opened the door to another opportunity for us to collaborate in bringing attention to that aspect of our work, and featuring a newly discovered business we both like and want to promote to our readers.

It's great for the flashPress readers to not only get exposed to today's article but also to Vicki's website because one, she's an excellent writer with a huge variety of topics, but also because her site is reader-friendly for all ages and never contains adult situations or strong language. She advertises her site here on flashPress and also On Story Street (my sister's website).

See? It's right over there...► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ►

So, without further ado, here's Vicki to introduce you to Sechelt's Three Dog Bakery!

The sign...

Vicki Warner of Life Talks - I Write

First, let me tell you, I don't have a dog.

Nevertheless, in Sechelt I came across a humble little sandwich-board decorated with a ridiculous doggie cartoon. This was enough to tempt me me inside just to see what a dog bakery looks like.

Well, I found out in a hurry that dogs like baked treats just as much as any human! The very first thing I noticed was the store owner, busily and artistically putting last minute miniature carrots on carrot cake that looked good enough for any human to eat!

Then, we started chatting.

Debbie Hendsbee of Three Dog Bakery

I was of the opinion this business owner would be scraping the barrel to attract enough business on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, which has a total population 30,000. But noooo... The Three Dog bakery's owner, Debbie Hendsbee, gave me some business facts and figures that truly amazed me!

According to the National Pet Owners Survey, 68% of all American households (that's 82 million) own pets. Those households are homes for 83 million dogs. But, here’s the interesting thing -- there are only 56 million homes. That translates to multiple dogs in multiple millions of home.

Back in 1988, at the first study, 56 million households reported pet ownership. Since then there’s been a 48% increase. That’s a huge number!

In 2013 pet expenditures reached $55 Billion. In 2014 predictions were for a further $3 billion gain! It comes down to pets being a part of these families. Their owners spend a lot of money on them and want great products.

Puppermint Patties and Pawlines!

Debbie is an enthusiastic and innovative owner of her business which is part of a franchise that has only a few locations here in Canada. Two are in Vancouver, and one is way over in Nova Scotia. last but not least, is the lovely shop here in Sechelt, located at 5511 Wharf Avenue.

The second time I went back to the bakery there was an air of excitement and expectation! Dog owners had been invited to have a professional Christmas photograph taken. That part was wonderful, and it gets even better.

All proceeds were donated to the local SPCA!

Even the local radio station got into the act, and made sure people knew about the opportunity. It was great fun!

Debbie works alone, most of the time, but does have two part time employees. She set up a branch of her operation at the BC Ferries in Langdale last summer. It was a big hit and well received by her doggy customers.

There are many more franchises in the USA. Debbie has lots of previous high-powered business experience, but decided to move into a less stressful working atmosphere. Sechelt is a very laid back community that’s wonderfully supportive of indie-businesses.The Three Dog Bakery is a great fit.

At home Debbie has an eight-year-old golden retriever. Her bakery has been in business for one year now, and she loves it! It’s very obvious Sechelt’s doggy residents and their owners give it top marks, too. They call in on a regular basis when out for walks to buy doggy treats, clothing and accessories in this delightful, boutique-style bakery.

The shop is proud of their baked goods for K9s. The ingredients are carefully selected for quality, then blended, baked and decorated right on the premises. The shop doesn’t have its own website but you can get better acquainted with Debbie’s business via Linked In.

Three Dog Bakery is located at 5511 Wharf Avenue., in Sechelt, British Columbia, Canada. You can get better acquainted with their business via Debbie on LinkedIn.

She's also available on Facebook, but doesn't draw much business from there.

Finish Line!

Our thanks to Vicki Warner of Life Talks - I Write for an awesome introduction, and to Three Dog Bakery and it's clients (and staff) for allowing us to feature them and participating in the interview, and happy holidays to all of Sechelt!

That's it for this one and hope to see you back on Thursday at femme's Desk.

'Til then, God bless, thanks for the read and please don't forget to thank a veteran at your next opportunity!

Well, it's no surprise that the Jordan home is part of the proud 68% of Americans who own a pet...and thanks to Vicki, Mr, Andy has been lucky enough to sample some of Debbie Hendsbee's wonderful holistic treats.

I enjoyed the photo gallery so much. Moby is adorable, especially on his new threads. "Who rescued who?" -- Love that so much...actually love this whole doggone review.

Love and hugs, Maria

Reply

Vicki

12/9/2014 12:57:04 pm

Dear Mareer,
This is a fun place to visit, even without my own pet. Your Andy Jordan would be beside himself! Actually, come to think of it, so would you, dear friend.
So glad you enjoyed this write up, and intro to one of the great Sechelt businesses!
Hugs,
Vickster

Reply

femmeflashpoint

12/9/2014 12:58:23 pm

Professor Jordan,

Ty for the visit and the comment, and your always snazzy play on words! While editing the photos Vicki sent, I was pondering how crazy-happy Andy the Branch Manager would be shopping here and I think it's wonderful that he's already gotten to sample some treats from this place!

I love the community cohesion going on in Sechelt, that I continue to hear about. I wish all communities could be so bonded and supportive of indie businesses. And cool thing is, thanks to the net, the rest of us can support the ones we like too via the web

It's nice to know that Three Dog Bakery in Sechelt has fans alllll the way in Philly!

femme

Reply

Melissah

12/14/2014 06:05:03 am

Dear Maria,

Thanks for the wonderful compliments about my precious little Moby! He loves his visits to Three Dog Bakery and he always loves having his picture taken and charming everyone! He's my little rescue Frenchie because he certainly rescued us!

What an awesome store! You're right, Vicki; the goodies look good enough for human consumption!

Our pets certainly are part of the family. Why not include them in holiday (and year round) baking?

Thanks for sharing this wonderful canine bakery. It put a huge smile on my face.

Reply

femmeflashpoint

12/10/2014 12:03:33 am

Hi, Sha!

Thanks for the visit and the great comment!

When I first saw the "treats" this place bakes I thought they were some of the coolest products I'd ever seen.

If I had a dog, I'd be definitely shopping this place, especially for its birthday and holiday treats.

It's such a wonderful concept and I soooo appreciate them doing fund raisers for their SPCA.

femme

Reply

Vicki

12/10/2014 12:26:12 am

Hi Shauna - thought you'd get a kick out of this place! You know, we're such a small place in this heme of things, and it's amazing that our businesses here are actually becoming known all over the world, thanks to the willingness, quality and open mindedness of the owners!
We have ongoing challenges of ferry or air access only, so owners have to become savvy online entrepreneurs!
This little write up was a blast to put together. Meeting the owners and their dogs was so cool too!

Reply

Gail Sobotkin

12/25/2014 04:36:22 pm

Great bakery and I really enjoyed the photo tour, high style doggie wear and cute designs on the baked goods, but the one thing I'd never seen before was the doggie buffet!
I'll never get to see this bakery, and I don't have any pets, but it was still fun reading about Sechelt's awesome, Three Dog Bakery.

Reply

femmeflashpoint

12/26/2014 11:17:15 am

Gail,

Isn't this place oh-so-cool? I don't have a dog these days either, but I'd definitely recommend Three Dog Bakery to any of my friends that do.

Maria said her boy Andy has sampled some treats from this place and he loves them. So, I'm sure a good recommendation counts for a great deal too in the indie biz world.

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